Thursday, September 5, 2013

The high calling of Motherhood

  • The High calling of Motherhood
        © 2013 Katherine Acevedo


             Mary Kay Blakely, US journalist and author of American Mom said:
    “Mothers are likely to have more bad days on the job than most other professionals, considering the hours: round-the-clock, seven days a week, fifty-two weeks a year. You go to work when you're sick, maybe even clinically depressed, because motherhood is perhaps the only unpaid position where failure to show up can result in arrest.”

    A few years ago I found myself struggling with my true identity as a woman. Our culture, society and even family members somehow made me feel that being a stay at home mom and taking care of my family was settling for less. Thanks to this psychological pressure and my own identity issues, I constantly felt stuck at home and worthless. I couldn’t find peace and joy in the things I did. I tried as much as I could to find something that would fill my void and give me the self-esteem and self-worth I needed. I thought that a career, a degree, a job, a title or just anything other than the “simple” job description of homemaker or housewife would lift the shame I felt.

    I was unaware of God’s plan for my life. I was also blind to the high calling of marriage and motherhood. I did not like how I was feeling so I finally asked God to help me with my interior self-image. When you ask God questions, he has answers! He started leading my steps. However, to add insult to injury, He led me to home school my kids. By this time I did not want to hear that answer! More time “stuck” at home! He also instructed me to distance myself from the people that were negatively influencing my thought patterns.


    I have to admit that these were difficult choices to make. People that are not aware of what God is doing in your life can easily get offended. Despite my inner struggles I persevered in obedience. It was then that I started to understand who God made me to be.
    That was a painful stage in my life. I was oblivious to my true identity as a daughter of the All Mighty God! You don’t need to work for it. You just need to accept his gift of life!


    The Bible says in Galatians 4:4
    As long as the heir is a child, he does not differ at all from a slave although he is owner of everything, but he is under guardians and managers until the date set by the father. So also we, while we were children, were held in bondage under the elemental things of the world. But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, so that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons and daughters. Because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” Therefore you are no longer a slave, but a son; and if a son, then an heir through God”.


    Today, I confess that I am enjoying the best days of my life since I allowed God to transform my whole being. I've learned that when God takes over your life completely your future becomes exciting and bright but above all secure! The changes I am going through right now are spectacular. The understanding that I am receiving is helping me grow to new spiritual levels in my personal relationship with God. I'm changing my perspective towards many things and because of this I now see life differently. Yes different!!!


    There is a lie being fed to women through the media that suggests that what we want is out there...outside of our homes. So march to the beat of the drummer, get busy, go out there and get “it”. When in reality the joy, happiness, peace and security we seek is at home with our families when we allow Christ to be the center.


    I am blessed and I cherish the privilege I have to do everything I do without feeling the pressure of finding a job like many other moms have to do, unfortunately. I know that being a stay at home mom will not look the same for each woman. We all have different circumstances. But we can do all things with Christ who gives us Strength!

    Now I understand how important and precious it is for God and myself that I do what I do. I thank God that I’ve been so blessed with a husband that is able to provide enough for me and our kids that I have never had the pressure or need to leave our home and the kids to work. With God’s help I’m embracing changes and now understand the high calling of my first ministry…being a MOM. And I cannot conclude without first exclaiming from the depth of my being that I OWE IT ALL TO HIM!